Letter: In anthem debate, there is room for patriotism and protest

Once again a controversy arises, probably to distract us from other important matters of government that aren’t going so well.

I am referring to playing the national anthem at pro (and other, now) football games. Whether standing or kneeling, I see the players looking respectful, perhaps even singing the words to the anthem. Who has the power to decide that standing is a required symbol of patriotism? Where is it written down?

Now, if the players turned their backs during the anthem, I would call that unpatriotic. Cannot one be patriotic and also make another point? You hear the words “this is not the place to raise this issue.” Gee, I hear the same thing about climate change following extreme weather events. When is it the place and time to discuss these issues? Set a time and place to discuss, don’t just dismiss and hope the issue will go away.

The irony is profound that NFL players are predominantly black, yet the owners and officials are primarily white. People say: “these players earn so much money, why are they complaining?” One could just as easily say, “these players are the owners’ meal ticket; why don’t the owners support them?”

This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Letter: In anthem debate, there is room for patriotism and protest."